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Cumberbatch reveals Assange snub over WikiLeaks film

Benedict Cumberbatch was disappointed that the "revolutionary of journalism" Julian Assange turned down a request to meet him to research his latest role as the WikiLeaks founder in The Fifth State.

Assange, who has been inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for more than a year to avoid extradition to the US, said he did not want to meet the actor as he believes the film will only help destroy his organisation.

Cumberbatch told BBC1's The Graham Norton Show, to be broadcast tomorrow night, "He is a revolutionary of journalism ... he made us question what the status quo is, the rule of law and power structures that are corrupt or needed exposing.

"He served democracy a great turn I think. WikiLeaks opened a very good can of worms."